Kuwait's Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has announced an update to the country's drug and psychotropic substance regulations, reinforcing measures to safeguard public health and prevent substance abuse. The ministerial decision involves classifying additional substances under the legal framework governing narcotics and psychotropics, ensuring stricter control over their circulation and use.

New Additions to Controlled Substance Lists

As part of the updated regulatory measures, the Ministry of Health has made the following amendments:

List No. 1 (Law No. 74/1983 - Drug Control)

• Butonitazene has been added due to its potential for misuse and high-risk effects.

List No. 2 (Law No. 45/1987 - Psychotropic Substances Regulation)

• Chloromethcathinone
• Dipentylone
• Fluorodischloroketamine
• Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)

List No. 4 (Law No. 45/1987 - Psychotropic Substances Regulation)

• Bromazolam has been added following scientific and legislative recommendations to control its misuse.

The Ministry of Health reiterated its commitment to continuously updating drug control laws to align with global scientific advancements and ensure public protection. This move reinforces Kuwait’s efforts to:

• Regulate the pharmaceutical market and prevent drug abuse.
• Monitor emerging narcotic and psychotropic substances for potential risks.
• Enforce stringent legal measures to combat illicit drug distribution.
• Enhance public safety measures in line with best international practices.

The ministry emphasized that these regulatory updates form part of its strategic vision to curb drug abuse, ensure proper medical usage of controlled substances, and promote public health security.